Why Invest in OsakaBeyond Business

Osaka has a history that stretches back at least 10,000 years, with evidence of humans inhabiting and thriving in the area for thousands of centuries.

By the 5th century, various elements of continental culture, brought in from the Korean Peninsula and elsewhere, had spread widely, making Osaka the epicenter of Japan's politics and culture.

In the 7th century, Osaka was home to Japan's first capital city designed after those in China. Although the capital later moved to nearby Nara and Kyoto, Osaka continued to prosper in its role as a gateway for culture and commerce.

At the end of the 12th century, power shifted into the hands of the samurai, leading to a period of civil war. Despite this, Sakai prospered as a free city, similar to medieval Italian city-states.

In the late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country, established Osaka (written as "大坂" at the time) as his base, built the magnificent Osaka Castle making it the political and economic center of Japan.

Although the political focus moved to Edo, now known as Tokyo, in the 17th century, Osaka played a vital role as "The Nation's Kitchen", controlling the country's economy and distribution. It was during these times when the city saw the rise of a civic culture and private academies that were not bound by the formal education systems, nurtured the open-minded spirit and fervent entrepreneurial spirit that would later pave the way for a modern metropolis.

In the 19th century, amid the chaos towards the establishment of a modern nation after the Meiji Restoration, Osaka's merchants faced severe setbacks. However, the city managed to rise from the slump, develop as an industrial city, and move toward becoming a modern city.

Rising from the massive devastation of World War II, Osaka has played a significant role in Japan's economy, driving the flow of goods, trade, and industry.

Today, Osaka stands on the brink of a new era, ready to leap forward as a global city where people, goods, and information from both inside and outside the country gather and interact.

Source: Original language (Japanese) Translated from Website of Osaka Prefectural Government